Use of a packing unit

ABSTRACT

Use of a packaging unit having an encompassing wall and possibly a base, wherein the pack is designed substantially in the form of a cylinder, truncated cone, sphere, hemisphere, cartridge, pyramid or in some other way and, possibly together with the base, forms a cup, wherein the pack is used for packaging foods, for example beverage ingredients, medicine, tonics, food supplements and/or foods in liquid, pasty or solid form.

The invention relates to the use of a packaging unit having a circumferential wall and, if applicable, a bottom, wherein the packaging unit is configured essentially in the form of a cylinder, truncated cone, sphere, hemisphere, cartridge, pyramid or some other shape, and forms a cup, together with the bottom, if applicable.

Various such packaging units are known, but in general they are used for packaging evaporated milk.

It is the task of the invention to use packaging units of the stated type for a plurality of applications.

This task is accomplished, according to the invention, in that the packaging unit is used for packaging of foods, for example of beverage ingredients, medicine, tonics, nutritional supplements and/or nutrients in the form of liquids, pastes or solids.

In this way, completely new markets are opened up. The packaging units according to the preamble can therefore be used very broadly. Furthermore, particular advantages for the materials filled into and contained in the packaging unit are achieved by means of the type of packaging unit.

It has also proven to be very advantageous, according to the invention, if the ready-to-use product is prepared by means of adding hot or cold water to the content of the packaging unit.

In this manner, not only beverages but also complete meals, above all of a liquid type, can be prepared in automated or semi-automated devices, from a single source and without problems regarding contamination, cleaning, and the like.

A further very advantageous use also exists if the content is expelled from the packaging unit, wherein fluids or gases such as compressed air, water, but also other liquids can be used, or, alternatively, a partial vacuum can also be used.

These are different ways in which the material contained in the packaging unit can be removed from it. Depending on whether dilution or preparation is desired, simple discharge can also be provided, wherein the content is then simply expelled. In the case of expulsion with gases, for example, foaming can also be undertaken.

According to the invention, it has also proven to be very advantageous if the content is mechanically expelled from the packaging unit.

In this way, mixing with gases or liquids is precluded.

Furthermore, it is very advantageous if fundamentally known coffee cartridges are utilized for the use according to the invention.

This represents a simple second use for these packaging units. These cartridges must, of course, generally be adapted to and improved for the new uses.

A very advantageous embodiment of the invention exists if the packaging unit is used for wellness and/or lifestyle products, OTC medications, vitamins, minerals, phytoneering products and/or pharmaceutical products.

Such products are generally difficult to dose, since they are packaged in bottles or other packaging units intended for multiple applications. If they must be prepared, in other words diluted or brewed, further error sources must be noted. This can be clearly improved with the solution according to the invention, in which the packaging unit is emptied in an extraction device.

A very advantageous packaging unit for the use according to the invention exists if an edge flange or a lip is provided at the free end of the packaging unit, wherein the edge flange or the lip can have an at least approximately constant thickness over its entire progression and/or that the packaging unit is closed off with a lid at its free end, wherein the lid can also be configured to be flat and/or that in the case of a tubular packaging unit, both free ends are closed off with a lid, in each instance, wherein one or both lids can also be configured to be flat.

As a result, a simple packaging unit, which is, however, effective and easy to handle, is made available for the use according to the invention.

In this regard, it has proven to be very advantageous if planned breaking points are provided in the bottom region for opening the packaging unit and/or that planned breaking points are provided in the lid for opening the packaging unit, wherein a screen or filter, which can be exposed when the packaging unit is opened, can be disposed in the bottom and/or lid.

In this way, a packaging unit that is coordinated with the product contained in it, in each instance, can be used; however, independent of the respective packaging unit and the product contained in it, it can be emptied in a single extraction apparatus.

Likewise, it is very advantageous if the barrier layer is configured as a moisture barrier, oxygen barrier and/or flavor barrier, and can consist of a coating, a laminate, a varnish or some other material application, which is applied before or after production of the packaging unit.

In this way, the storage capacity of the product is guaranteed.

Furthermore, it is very advantageous, according to the invention, if the packaging unit is produced from a plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard and/or composite material, in one or more layers.

In this regard, it is extremely advantageous if at least one layer of the packaging unit is produced from a material that contains fibers, in particular a material that contains cellulose fibers, primarily paper or cardboard.

As a result, a packaging unit that can be universally used for the use according to the invention is made available, which unit makes as little use as possible of questionable petroleum products.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated using an exemplary embodiment.

Coffee pads, but also cartridge packaging units are often used for preparing coffee.

The present invention now goes beyond this and proposes also using such cartridge packaging units also for other sectors, primarily in modified and supplemented form.

It is proposed that these be used for packaging of foods in general, for example of beverage ingredients, medicine, tonics, nutritional supplements and/or nutrients in the form of liquids, pastes or solids.

These contained substances are then removed or prepared as needed. For this purpose, an extraction apparatus is used, which can correspond, for example, to a coffee machine for the corresponding packaging unit or is based on such a machine.

By adding hot or cold water, the content of the packaging unit can be prepared, for example, and simultaneously can be extracted from the packaging unit.

The content is either retained by means of corresponding membranes, filters or the like, so that only extracts are taken, or it is retained for a limited period of time, for example until after sufficient mixing has taken place.

However, it is also conceivable that the content is expelled by means of gases or other fluids. In the case of extraction using gas, for example, foaming is also possible.

Foaming can also follow in the case of extraction using other media.

Mechanical extraction by means of pressing the content out, for example, is also conceivable, as is extraction under a partial vacuum.

Thus, not only beverages, examples of which are juices, refreshment beverages, wellness beverages, etc., but also medications, wellness products of all kinds, but also vitamin preparations, mineral preparations, nutritional supplements, OTC medications, phytoneering products, pharmaceutical products, but also foods can be contained.

Thus, for example, also soups or the like can be contained, which are then extracted in portions, in other words precisely one portion is contained in a packaging unit, and prepared.

In the case of a corresponding configuration of the extraction device, the latter does not need to be cleaned every time when a different product is supposed to be extracted or prepared. The storage capacity of the individual packaging units is also not influenced negatively.

The risk of contaminants, mold or the like does not exist.

The packaging units used are generally configured in such a manner that they have an edge flange or a lip at their free end, wherein the edge flange or the lip has an at least approximately constant thickness over its entire progression, thereby making it well possible to clamp the packaging units into the extraction device, in each instance. In this regard, clamping also forms a seal due to the constant thickness, so that application of fluid can take place without problems.

Also, packaging units that are closed off with a lid at their free end are conceivable, wherein the lid can also be configured to be flat.

In the case of a tubular packaging unit, both free ends are closed off with a lid, in each instance.

In the bottom region and also in the lid, the packaging units can have planned breaking points or functional materials, such as screens, filters or the like, which allow or facilitate extraction.

Screens, filters and functional materials can be provided with a covering that is removed or opened manually or automatically.

The packaging unit should be provided with a barrier layer, which can be configured as a moisture barrier, oxygen barrier and/or flavor barrier, depending on the product contained. Other barriers, such as grease barriers, for example, are also conceivable.

Such a barrier layer can consist of a coating, a laminate, a varnish or some other material application, and can be applied before, during or after the production of the packaging unit.

The packaging unit can be produced from a plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard and/or composite material, in one or more layers, wherein it is intended, to protect the environment, that at least one layer of the packaging unit is produced from a material that contains fibers, in particular a material that contains cellulose fibers, primarily paper or cardboard.

Plastics produced from petroleum-based materials are avoided to a great extent.

If a required barrier layer makes this necessary, layers composed of PE, PP, PVOH, EVOH or the like can be provided. Otherwise, materials that are produced from renewable resources and are biodegradable are preferred. Examples of these are starch polymers, PLA and the like. 

1: Use of a packaging unit having a circumferential wall and, if applicable, a bottom, wherein the packaging unit is configured essentially in the form of a cylinder, truncated cone, sphere, hemisphere, cartridge, pyramid or some other shape, and forms a cup, together with the bottom, if applicable, wherein the packaging unit is used for packaging of foods, for example of beverage ingredients, medicine, tonics, nutritional supplements and/or nutrients in the form of liquids, pastes or solids. 2: The use according to claim 1, wherein the ready-to-use product is prepared by adding hot or cold water to the content of the packaging unit. 3: The use according to claim 1, wherein the content is expelled from the packaging unit, wherein fluids or gases such as compressed air, water, but also other liquids can be used, or, alternatively, a partial vacuum can also be used. 4: The use according to claim 1, wherein the content is mechanically expelled from the packaging unit. 5: The use according to claim 1, wherein fundamentally known coffee cartridges are utilized for the use according to the invention. 6: The use according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is used for wellness and/or lifestyle products, OTC medications, vitamins, minerals, phytoneering products and/or pharmaceutical products. 7: The use according to claim 1, wherein an edge flange or a lip is provided at the free end of the packaging unit, wherein the edge flange or the lip can have an at least approximately constant thickness over its entire progression and/or that the packaging unit is closed off with a lid at its free end, wherein the lid can also be configured to be flat and/or wherein in the case of a tubular packaging unit, both free ends are closed off with a lid, in each instance, wherein one or both lids can also be configured to be flat. 8: The use according to claim 7, wherein planned breaking points are provided in the bottom region for opening the packaging unit and/or wherein planned breaking points are provided in the lid for opening the packaging unit, wherein a screen or filter, which can be exposed when the packaging unit is opened, can be disposed in the bottom and/or lid. 9: The use according to claim 7, wherein the barrier layer is configured as a moisture barrier, oxygen barrier and/or flavor barrier, and can consist of a coating, a laminate, a varnish or some other material application, which is applied before or after production of the packaging unit. 10: The use according to claim 7, wherein the packaging unit is produced from a plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard and/or composite material, in one or more layers. 11: The use according to claim 10, wherein at least one layer of the packaging unit is produced from a material that contains fibers, in particular a material that contains cellulose fibers, primarily paper or cardboard. 